Dedham seniors who struggle to get a ride to the doctor have a new round of help. The Dedham Commission on Disability has awarded the Ames Senior Center a $6,000 grant for the second consecutive year to fund free medical taxi rides when the center's own vehicles are fully booked.

The grant, up from $5,000 in its first year, covers taxi fare to and from medical appointments at no cost to the rider. Each senior is limited to four rides, and the destination must be within 15 miles of Dedham.

"This program is especially valuable when our transportation service is fully booked, allowing us to arrange a taxi to and from a medical appointment at no cost to the senior," Director Courtney Daly wrote in the center's August newsletter.

The center at 450 Washington St. operates three wheelchair-accessible vehicles that serve Dedham, Needham, Norwood, Westwood, West Roxbury, and Faulkner Hospital. Riders must call 48 hours ahead of their appointment. When those vans fill up, the Commission on Disability grant kicks in for Dedham residents 55 and older.

Ice cream, Jimmy Buffett, and a packed patio

The center also has a full slate of August events, many outdoors on the patio.

State Rep. Paul McMurtry, the 11th Norfolk District Democrat who has represented Dedham since 2007, will host an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, August 19, at 5:30 p.m. McMurtry, who also owns the Dedham Community Theatre, has been a regular presence at the center's summer gatherings.

A rescheduled Jimmy Buffett tribute concert takes the patio on Wednesday, August 12, at 5:30 p.m. The center's third Grab & Go Lunch of the season follows on Thursday, August 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the option to eat on-site or take the meal home.

Other August highlights include a Lunch and Learn with new Dedham Fire Chief Robert De Vincent on Tuesday, August 11, at noon; a four-week Poetry Seminar with published poet Marjorie Kutner-Greenberg starting Thursday, August 20, at 1 p.m. (free, limited to 10 spots); and an AI For Seniors presentation on Wednesday, August 5, at 5:30 p.m.

Sign-ups for August programming open Monday, July 27. Call 781-751-9495 or visit www.dedham-ma.gov/coa.

Upcoming at a glance

  • Wednesday, August 5 — AI For Seniors, 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 11 — Lunch and Learn with Fire Chief De Vincent, noon
  • Wednesday, August 12 — Jimmy Buffett tribute concert, 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 19 — Rep. McMurtry's Ice Cream Social, 5:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 20 — Poetry Seminar begins, 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 27 — Grab & Go Lunch, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • September — Annual Senior BBQ at Endicott Estate (date not yet set)